Gentlemen, Put Down Your Swords!

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion." (1 Timothy 1:5-6)

"Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:14-16)

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." (Titus 3:9)

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I know of a church in which there is a great debate raging over words. These aren't words of traditional doctrine, mind you, but words of theology -- systematic theology. This church is in the midst of a self-imposed crisis, though its congregants have no idea that there is a theological controversy raging at the top. The debate is not over the Gospel message. All are in agreement over the simple message of forgiveness in Christ. The debate is not over the mission of the church, for all agree that the church exists to preach the Gospel, build up believers, and shine the light of Christ in this dark world.

The debate is over how to communicate to people that their church is vastly different from all the other churches around. It is a debate over the distinctiveness of this church's theology. And the debate is not very healthy. Pastor challenges pastor. Elder disagrees with pastor. Elder disagrees with elder. The debate concerns a system of theology that no man can completely define (and I will not attempt it here).

But within this one system of theology there are "sub-systems." Theologians argue over the commands of the apostles, the issue of confession, and the motivation for living the Christian life, among other things. And there are so many sub-systems within the main theology that arguments have even erupted inside this church between proponents of those sub-systems! There is so much hair splitting going on that the church leadership is at odds. Again, a self-imposed crisis.

It doesn't have to be that way.

What concerns me most about that church is I fear the message of the Gospel has been neglected in the midst of theological nit-picking. Paul wrote to Timothy in Ephesus that he should put an end to fruitless discussion among the overseers there. Their problem was not a theological system but the principle still applies today. It's time to refocus on spreading the message of the Gospel and lovingly building up believers in Christ. The goal of Paul's instruction was not arguments and debate over systematic theology but love with purity and a sincere faith. He said in his second letter that Timothy should charge the elders to stop wrestling over words. Paul told Titus to tell the Cretan church to avoid foolish controversies.

I believe most "sub-system" controversies are foolish controversies that usually distract churches. It is dividing the leaders of this particular church and I firmly believe their debate is hurting the whole church. Internal strife never produces growth, just as a fever is always a warning sign. Godly overseers need to refocus on the purity of the Gospel message and seek to share it with their community. The longer they wrangle over words, the more they hinder their mission. Forget about splitting hairs. Defend the Gospel. Defend your points of doctrine.

I believe Jesus would say, "Gentlemen, put down your swords and love one another!"